Blessings

I remember my dad telling me about his childhood, and one thing that his mom (my grandmother) would tell her children was not to miss the blessing. Our church almost always finished the service with the blessing, a hymn/song, and announcements. If someone had to leave church early (maybe to go help set up Bible study or something like that) it was okay with Grandma if they missed a song and the announcements, but it was important to stay and be blessed by God through the words that the pastor would speak, and these were often the words used to for the blessing.

Numbers 6:24-26New International Version (NIV)

24 “‘“The Lord bless you
    and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.”’

This is sometimes known as the Aaronic Blessing or the High Priestly Blessing because God told Moses that Aaron, the high priest, should bless the people of Israel using these words found in Numbers chapter 6.

Image of Aaron, Israel's first High Priest

We don't talk about blessings very often in our present-day culture, but it was incredibly important for the Hebrew culture. Jacob stole his brother's blessing, and Isaac knew the importance of the blessing so he couldn't take it back and give it to Esau. Genesis 27 Later Jacob wrestled with God all night and would not let him go until he was blessed. Genesis 32 The foreign prophet Balaam was paid to curse the Israelites but blessed them instead because that's what God wanted to happen. Numbers 22 

As you reflect on these words, I hope you are able to see, hear, and feel God covering you with his blessings. May his peace be with you!